Christmas tree base



21,1934? I R. GARRETT 1,971,302}

CHRISTMAS TREE BASE Filed July so. 1932 E IEnl- FIE-E.-

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IN VEN TOR.

GARRBTZ BY 5 pi, I

A TTORNE YS.

Patented Au 21, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvements in Christmas tree'retaining'bases and has particular reference to an electric revolving base for detachably retaining therein a Christmas tree or like display.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an economically constructed and eflicient retaining apparatus that will eflectively support an ordinary Christmas tree in an upright posi- 1 tion. 1

Another objectis to provide mmhanical means for revolving the tree relative to said base to thus enhance the attractiveness of the display.

A further object is to provide electrical means for illuminating the tree to thus flood the same with vari-colored lights and to provide ,a commutator means for opening and closing'the circult to effect a winking and blink of the lights positioned on the tree.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved base with a Christmas tree shown positioned therein,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base,

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through a the base and on an enlarged scale, the view being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional details of the commutator means.

I am aware of the fact that various types of bases have been previously patented for the-purpose of holding Christmas trees or other ornamental displays. These to my knowledge do not eii'ect a revolving of the tree in the base to thus enhance the attractiveness of the tree. I

therefore, propose to employ a. unique construction where mechanical means are employed to effect a revolving of the tree, and electrical means are utilized to cast the beams of vari-colored lights through the foliage of the tree to produce a pleasing and colorful display.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a hollow metallic base which has centrally mounted therein a tubular supporting element 2 that depends from the top section 3 of the base. Mounted within this said tubular element and spaced therefrom, by means of ball bearings 4 is a second tubular element 5 that floats freely 55 within the outer element 2 and rides on addi- 12 and pinion 13, which pinion meshes with the tional ball bearings 6 mounted in a raceway in the bottom of said tubular element 2.

It will be noted that the inner tubular element 5 carries the butt 7 of the tree and this element is slowly rotated by means of a bolt 8 mounted in its bottom as disclosed to advantage in Fig. 3. The said tubular element carries at its lower end a master driving gear 9 that is actuated by means of a motor 10 through a reduction worm 1i, gear master gear 9. As disclosed to advantage in Figs. 1 and 3, suitable switches 14 and 15 control, respectively, the motor 10 and a circuit 16 for the illumination of sunken colored lights 17 arranged in the top section 3 of the base and adapted to flood-light the tree in colors. The tree butt 7 is held rigidly for rotation with the inner tubular member 5 by means of a spike 18 carried by the bolt 8 and also through the medium of a plurality of centering screws 19.

I propose to employ a conventional commutator means 20 as disclosed to advantage in Figs. 4 and 5, for opening and closing the circuit to effect a winking and blinking of the lights. The said circuit is indicated by the numeral 24 and connects all the small lights mounted in the Christmas tree and causes the illumination of the tree as it is slowly rotated relative to its base. It might be mentioned that one circuit of lights twinkles at each quarter turn of the tree. In this manner the tree itself is illuminated as it turns and the flood-lights 17, which are vari-colored, cast their beams of vari-colored lights through the foliage of the tree, thus rendering a pleasing and colorful display.

The numeral 25 designates a commutator knob adapted to be used in the commutator system, which knob can be readily pulled out for a. continuous illumination of the tree lights, or pushed in to make the said lights twinkle.

From the foregoing description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing, it will be obvious that I have devised a unique means forrevolving a Christmas tree or like display.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:- In a device of the character described comprising a substantially rectangular hollow illuminated base, a tubular supporting member dement for centering and securing the tree and motor actuated means positioned within the base and adapted to rotate said tree supporting element relative to said depending element and,

said base.

RICHARD GARRE'I'I'.

Ill 

